Chinese warships have docked at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf as the two countries prepare to conduct joint naval exercises.

The commander of Iran's First Naval Zone, Admiral Amir Hossein Azad, said on September 20, "The voyage of the Chinese Army’s fleet of warships for the first time in the Persian Gulf waters is aimed at joint preparation of Iran and China for establishing peace, stability, tranquility, and multilateral and mutual cooperation."

Reports did not specify exactly when the exercises would start, only referring to the beginning of the drills as taking place "in the coming days."

The naval exercises start just days after Iranian naval vessels rescued a Chinese cargo ship from pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Iranian warships visited China in 2013 for joint naval maneuvers.

Based on reporting by Fars, Press TV, "The Times of Israel," and Interfax